Valve and valve operating device



April 13, 1954 J. o'sHl-:A

VALVE AND VALVE OPERATING DEVICE Filed Hay 11, 1950 i Shun-Shut 1.

IN VEN TOR. dan? e: 0 '5b @o April 13, 1954 Filed May 1l, 1950 J. OSHEA VALVE AND VALVE OPERATING DEVICE 3V Sheets-Sheet 2 Uli April 13, 1954 J. osHEA VALVE AND VALVE OPERATING nEvIcEf 5 Sheets-'Sheet 51 Filed May ll, 1950 f/////.//////va EEEEE Patented Apr. 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to devices proposed to be used in connection with the removal of liquids and gases or mixtures of liquids and gases from one container to another. One purpose is to provide a simple and safe means for the removal lor eduction of liquid condensates from gas mains or appurtenances thereto without an appreciable loss or escape of the liquid or gas to the atmosphere.

Another purpose is the providing of an imlproved method for the transfer of liquid, gas, or mixture thereof from one -container or receptacle to another Without the escape or release of any substantial portion of these substances, `thereby eliminating or reducing to a minimum of the possibility of accidental igniting of explosive gases during the transfer thereof.

`The invention also includes a simple and inexpensive valve which is caused to be operated by the attaching or detaching of the device employed for the transfer of the liquid or gaseous substances from one container to another.

The Valve device included in the invention will of itself or in conjunction with a screwed plug or cap, seal completely the aperture of the container of the liquid or gas, or combination of both, against these substances escaping to the outside atmosphere when said valve is'in a closed position.

The accompanying drawings and specifications show an application of the invention for the eduction of liquids from a gas main. I-t will be understood, however, that it also may be applied to the transfer of liquids, gases or a combination of both from any type of one container to another with the necessary constructional modifications as may be required to suit the application.

When the temperature of gas'inv a gas main saturated with vapors condensible at a given pressure reaches the dew point, condensation results, In low pressure gas systems there is also sometimes water leakage from the adjacent ground through faulty joints in gas service pipe, gas mains or deteriorated gas conduits. It is necessary, therefore, to provide drips at all low points in the mains to collect this condensate and water leakage. Otherwise these liquids -would interfere seriously with the now of gas by accu.- mulating at these low points and eventually trap the main and shut off the ow of gas completely. The location of these drips is determined almost entirely by the condition which makes them necessary. At every point where, in Ymaking the grade of the main conform to the general contour of` the surface of the ground, it is necessary to change from a descending grade to an ascending one, a drip must be provided to collect the condensate and prevent it from trapping the main at this low point. On level ground it may be necessary to establish low points in order to avoid excavating to excessive depths which would otherwise be necessary to give sumcient fall to the main. At such low points drips are installed.

These drips may be one of the following types:

(a) A line drip consisting of a section of pipe or pot placed 'beneath the gas main and connected thereto; i

(o) A drip pot between sections of vthe main;

(c) A siphon drip at low point of main.

All these types of drips haverisers assembled in one or more sections leading to the groundsurface and having means for a pump or other facilities to be attached thereto for the purpose of removing the liquids `that may have collected therein. i i

In low-pressure gas distribution systems these risers have closure means at or near ground surface which may be removed and a hose connec- -tion from a` pump orl vacuum tank may be attached tothe riser for the purpose of removing. the liquid from the main or drip. In the intermediate gas pressure distribution systems, it is usual to have a shut-off valve placed at the upper end of riser witha short nipple extending to or near ground level and adapted to be sealed byl a `closure means. Frequently inthe highpressure distribution systems there is.` an additionalvalve placed immediately above the gas mains. In cases where there is only one valve in a riser, a short drip, or roadway box is necessary in order to shield the valve from dirt, which box must be lof sufficient cross-sectional area to provide adequate room' for manipulating the valve. In cases where'there are two valves in the riserit is necessary that the roadway box extend -from the elevation of ground to the second valve adjacent to the main in order to provide a means r for reaching this valve.

The present invention briefly consists of a novel construction and arrangements of parts lparticularly useful with the intermediate or .between sections of riser, and which` has no exposed cracks or openings through which dirt or grit may work into the valve.

in its preferred forms such assembly consists basically of a stationary valve member fixed to the riser at the top or bottom thereof or between sections of the riser and having a threaded central hole or bore into which a valve closure is screwed, the construction being such that the valve plug is normally set in its closed or shutmiif position when the riser closure is in place. Hence, when liquid is to be drained from the gas main and the closure at the top of the riser is removed to enable agconduit connection from a medium for the removal and transfer of the liquid to be connected in sealed engagement with said riser, there will be no escape of gas. The present invention also includes actuating means associated with such connection for engaging the valve plug and causing it to be moved to opened position either as the pipe connection is [construction preferably being such that until the conduit connection has been attached to the riser the valve is closed. The movable valve plug is provided with'rotation means and the conduit connection preferably has associated with it Vmeans for cooperative engagement with said rotation means so that the act of screwing the connection on to the top of the riser or valve plug opens the valve, and the unscrewing of the conduit connection automatically causes the valve to close.

A modication of this conduit connection provides a manually actuated member in said connection for rotation independently thereof and having connection means engageable` with said valve closure plug to rotate and move the same from closed to opened positions and from opened to closed positions. As the valve of the present invention may be placed at any position with reference to the top or bottom of the riser, the valve rotation means associated with the conduit connection leading to the medium for removal of liquid is preferably adjustable in length to engage the movable valve plug and to compensate for variations in the locations of the valves between the top and bottom of the riser.

As it may in some instances be desirable to provide an additional shut-oil means at the lower end of the riser adjacent to the gas main, as well as a shut-off valve at the upper end, the invention includes the provision for such a second valve, together with a connection between the valve plug of the upper valve assembly and valve plug of the lower one so that the lower valve plug will. be moved to opened and closed positions simultaneously and in synchronism with the opening and closing of the upper valve. With the valve assembly of this invention, a roadway box is not necessarily required, except in those places where the top of the riser terminates in a paved sidewalk or road, in which case a short box may be used as a convenience to provide clearance space for facilitating the removal of the closure means at the top of the riser.

From the foregoing,l it will be seen that the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved construction for a valve assembly capable of being so connected with a standard riser having its upper end terminating adjacent to the ground level, and which valve assembly will normally be effectively covered by a closure means such as an ordinary standard pipe closure cap, the removal of which permits access to be had to the movable closure member of the valve only when said closure is removed.

Another object is to provide a practically foolproof type of construction that will effectively prevent any appreciable escape of gas during the act of connecting a pump to the riser to withdraw collected liquid from a low point of a gas main.

A further object is to provide such a fool-proof and eifective shut-off means of simple and inexpensive construction that will obviate the necessity for the kuse of more expensive types of shut-o valves heretofore employed at the upper ends of such risers, together with the relatively large and costly cast iron boxes to encase the same.

The above and other objects of the present invention will appear more fully from the following more detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation indicating a gas main section at a lower level wherein liquid is likely to collect and shownA as equipped with a riser constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and having the upper end or the riser pipe closed by the usual pipe closure Cap;

Fig. 2 is a View of the upper end of the structure shown in Fig, 1, but with the closure Vcap removed, and a pipe connection leading to a pump or other source of vacuum coupled thereto;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross section of that part of Fig. 2 indicated by the line 3 3 thereon but with the section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 6 and showing the valve about to .i Open;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the valve in open position;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 3 taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. l and showing the valve at the lower end of the riser;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. showing a slightly modified form of construction;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line '5 1 of Fig. 6;

Figs. 8, 9, 10, 1l and l2 are horizontal sections on the lines 3 8, Q Q, l-i, M and i2 |2, respectively, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified form of valve;

Fig. 1.4 is a horizontal section on the line I l c of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a further modified form of construction;

Fig. 16 is a horizontal section on the line ili i li of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 1'7 is a further modified form of construen tion.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the numeral 2i! indicates a drip pot or lower section of a gas main in which liquid has collected, Fixedly secured thereto, as by a welded joint 2 i, is a short section of riser pipe 22. The lower end of pipe 22 extends to the bottom of the drip 2G and is cut away, as indicated at 22a, so that the collected liquid will have ready access to the pipe 22. Where the riser is va sectional one the pipe 22 at its upper 'end hassecuredtoitla pipecoupling, preferably a standard pipe union 23,` which serves to detachably securethe lower end of a longer riser pipe section 24 to the lower pipe section 22. A similar pipe union25 is secured to the upper end of the pipe 24.

'I'he union 25 serves as a connection for an upper pipe section 26, the top ofv whichterminates a short distance below the surface of the ground and is normally closed by'a closure means such as pipe closure cap 21, vall as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings; the union 25 when'tightened serving to hold the pipe section-26 against rotation, KJV

As shown in Fig. 3, the upper end of pipe section 26 has xedly secured therein'a-stationary valve plug receiving member 28"press, fitted` in, or brazed or soldered, or otherwise nonrotatably secured to the pipe 26 so that the plug 28 isin gas-tight engagement with pipe 26. i

In `the particular constructional example shown in Fig. 3, the stationary plug 23 is provided with a threaded central bore 29 in which is adapted to be received a screw threaded valve plug 30.

The stationary `plug 28 is provided-with aplu- M rality of longitudinally extending radial slots 3|, four of said slots preferably lbeing provided at equally spaced intervals about said plug (Fig. l2): said slots being openat the bottom thereof to theiinterior `of the pipe 26, as shown in Fig. 3. The valve plug 301 at its upper end is provided with noncircular socket 32,lpreferably hexagonal in cross-section, in which is-adapted to be received the lower end of a similarlyv shaped rodr33 and by means of which theplug 30lmay be rotated to cause it to be movedpbecause of its screwvthreaded engagement, `longitudinally oi the fixed plug 28. A A pipe` coupling 34screwed upon the lower end of a short connecting nipple pipe `section 35 is-adapted `to `be attached to the upper screw threaded end of pipe 2li` after the closure cap' 21 has been removed therefrom. Fixedly secured withinsaid nipple section 35 is a plug 36 having alsmooth central borein which arod 31 is slidably mounted.

At its lower end the rod 31 is provided with an enlarged portion 31asocketed to receive the upper end of the hex-rod 33, apin 38 servingto` secure rods 33 and 31 together against relative movement. Between the shoulder formed by the enlarged lower end 31a of rod 31 and the lower end of plug` 36 is conned an extension spring 43 to normally urge rod 31 and the lower end of hexrod 33 outwardly beyond the lower end of coupling 34. The plug 36 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending passageways 39, as

`clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings. Fixedly secured within plug 36 and projecting up wardly therefrom within the pipe nipple 35 is a driver 42,. This driver 42 is adapted, when the pipe 35 is rotated, to engage a radially extending driving pin 43 secured within the upper end of rod 31,'the radial pin 43 also serving as a stop for engaging the top off plug 4D to limit outward movement of the rod ,31 by spring 4 I. l

The operation of the `parts justdescribed is as follcwsz* i l 7 l The pipe section 35 with coupling `34 serves as a pipe connection by means of which the upper end of the riser, consisting of the sections 22, 24 and 26, may be connected with apump or other suitable means for removal `oli-liquid; it being understood. that coupling 34.will.first be secured .upontlie lower end of the-nippl e35;andy screwed ltg'htly'thereon to `oe-in` effect bottomed; *When "6 the valve assembly is initially installed; the valve closure plug 3) will be so adjusted longitudinally of the xed plug 28 as to be in a position such as indi-cated in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings in which a sufficient' portion of the upper end of plug 30 is within the Iscrew-threaded bore 29 of plug 28 so as to completely close the same and shut off communication between the longitudinally extending passageways 3| and bore 29. When it is desired to connect the nipple 35, with the coupling 34 secured to the lower end thereof to the upper threaded end of the riser pipe section 26, the nipple 35 with the rods 33, 31 and associated parts, is placed in position to engage the threads in the lower half of coupling 34 with the threaded upper end of pipeisection 26, it being understood that the closure cap 21 has first been removed from pipe 26. The hexagonal rod 33 which is normally urged by the spring 40 so that its lower end projects outwardly some distance beyond the end of coupling 34 has its lower end forced against the top of` the valve plug 30, and the nipple'35 is rotated until rod 33 is caused to enter, by the action of spring 43, into the socket 32 of plug 33. The nipple 35with coupling 34lis then moved downwardly against the action of spring 40 until the threads of coupling 34 are in position to start engaging the threads on the upper end of pipesection 25; The provision of the spring 43 and the fact that the rod 31 is longitudinally slidable' within the plug 36 enables the assembly of rods 33 and 31 to yield upwardly without causing any binding action until the threads oi the coupling have started to engage properlyl with the threads on pipe section 23. After theengagement of the screw threads ci coupling 34 and pipe section 23 has been properly started, the nipple 35 and coupling 34 are rotated to screw the coupling 34 home into `gas-tight engagement on the pipe section 26. As the nipple 35 is so rotated, radial driving pin 43 will be engaged by the longitudinally extending pin 42; and as rotation of nipple 35 is continued the rod 33, which has been previcusly engaged within the socket 32 oi plug 33, will cause plug 3l! to be screwed downwardly through plug 23 from a position such as indicated in Fig. 3 until, by the time the coupling 34 has beenscrewed tightly on pipe section 23, the upper end of plug 33 will have passed below the upper end of the longitudinal passageways or slots 3i to a position such as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, in which position of the parts, as will be seen from Fig. 4, communication is established for the passage of the water of condensation or other liquid through the longitudinal passageways 3i, the central aperture 29 of plug 28 and out through nipple 35, passingthrough thelongitudinal slots 39 of plug 36 tothe laterally extending outward pipe section 45 which is adapted to be connected by a union. coupling 45a with the pump P or other suitable means for removal of liquid. The use ofa pump to withdraw the collected liquid is not, however, alwaysnecessary, as the pressure in the main is sometimes sucient to blow the liquidfoutvthrough the riser.`

As will be seenfrorn" theforegoingbecause Vci the provision of the spring "46, together with the amount of rotational vlost `motion between the driving rod 42 and the radially/extending driving Vpin 43, engagement of the lowerencl of the hexsacrement Because er the fact .that u is essential that pipesec'tion 26 Vwill be held against rotation dur Ving the :engagement of coupling 34 with it, the

pile section -26 is-eonnectedto the Imain riser pipe section 124 by means of the union 25, which, when it is tightened, will hold pipe section 2S securely against rotation.

As it ywill be desirable in most instances, in order .to facilitate connecting the nipple 35 with the .source of vacuum, an additional shut-orvalve V is `interposed between pipes 35 and 45 in .the line- 45 leading to the pump P, this valve being kept closed until alter the nipple 35 has been connected and the coupling 45a made to the pump P. It will ordinarily be desirable to employ a valve such as indicated at V in pipe connection 35, 45, the latter preferably including a hose section anda union coupling 45a. As the pipe connection and pump would, oi course, be used to service many risers, only a few'of these would be needed for service crews,

. It is sometimes advantageous, if, for example, the main riser sections should become corroded or damaged and need to be replaced, 'to provide a Ysecond shut-oli` valve at the lower vend of the riser. The Aprinciples of the present invention may readily be adapted to the provision of such an additional valve structure, as shown in Fig. 5, wherein the upper end of the pipe section 22 has secured therein plug 48 similar to plug 2S, having a screw-threaded central bore in which is adapted to be received a valve plug d, plug being provided with the longitudinally extending passageways or slots 5l. The plug zio is provided with a hex-shaped socket 52 in which is received the lower end of a hexshaped rod 53, the upper end of which is received within a similar socket provided in the lower face of plug 36. It will be understood that the rod 53 will be out to such length that its upper and lower ends will be engaged respectively within the socket in the lower end of plug 3l! and the socket 53 in plug 5o when the parts are originally assembled, and so that plug 56 will occupy substantially the same position relative to the plug 48 as plug 53 occupies with respect to plug 28; hence, as the coupling 34 and nipple 35 are screwed downwardly on to the upper end of pipe section 26 and valve plug 3e is caused to be vmoved to its opened position, as indicated in Fig. 4, ya similar movement of valve plug Sii will be eected. When plug 5@ is moved to Open position, communication will be established 'through longitudinal passageways 5i and threaded aperture 49 of plug 48 in the same manner that communication is established through the upper plug 28.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a slightly modied form of construction in which, instead of using a standard pipe nipple 35 and coupling 34, a pipe section 35a, having a female threaded portion 34al on its lower end, has formed integrally with it a plug portion 35a having a central bore in which is slidably received a rod 3l with enlarged end 31a, connecting pin 38 and spring 4u, like those shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Instead of having the driving means for rotating rod 3l formed as a separate piece of drill rod as shown at 42 in Figs. 3 and 4, in the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the driver 42a is formed integral with the pipe nipple 35 and plug portion iia; and the rod 3l is provided with a radial driving pin 43a suitably secured in rod 31. At its upper end the pipe section .35a is provided with pipe threads for connection to a shut-oli valve V and conduit 45 such as shown in Fig. 2.

the valve :assemblies of this invention may, as heretoforefpointed out, -be located at any intermediate point between the top and bottom Vof the riser, it Will be desirable to provide means for connecting an additional length of rod 33a to the bottom of rod 33, such .mea-ns may take the form of a 'coupling sleeve 33h secured by any suitable means, 'such as the `pins 33o, to the lower end of rod '33,.:and the upper end of rod 33a.

In Figs. 13 and 14 I have vshown a modied type of valve plug 30a. In this-'modification the longitudinal `passageways are provided in the movable valve member 30a instead 'of being lprovided in the fixed valve member such as the plugs 28 and 48.

vIn `the form shown 'in Fig. 13 the xed valve member is 'in the form :of a plug-like nipple "6l which may :be .screwed into the upper end of the riser pipe section 26 or, where a sectional riser is used, at an `intermediate or lower position 'between 'the Vriser sections, the plug nipple in either case serving as a `pipe 'connecting means.V iis obviously it makes no Idii'lie'rence whether the lon gitudin'al kpassages are provided in fthe lxed yor movable :member of the valve lassembly in Fig. 13, I have shown them in the movable valve plug 30o. When, however, this formis used the valve is opened by moving plug 3D0, upward; hence, it and the bore of nipple 5B1 are provided with lefthancl threads instead of the customary righthand threads, `vcoupling 34 being the standard coupling with righthand threads. As it may be desirable to provide additional valve seating surfaces, I 'have shown valve plug 36a in Fig. 13 as provided with an annular flange 62 having an annular Avalve 'seating surface 63 adapted to engage a suitable 'annular gasket 54 preferably imbedded in a suitable annular recess formed in the upper face of the `nipple plug 5|. The lower end of valve plug 30a is provided with a suitable recess for engagement with the upper end of the hex rod 53.

It will, Vof course, be understood that nipple 35 and associated parts shown in Fig. 13 are identical with those shown in Figs. 1 to f4 inclusive. The operation of the modification of Fig. 13, as

will therefore be readily understood, is quite siml ilar toV that shown and described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, except that, as the threads on the valve plug are left hand when nipple 35 is screwed down, plug 30a is screwed upwardly until it has moved to a position such as shown in Fig. 13 in which communication between pipe section 26 and nipple 35 will be established through the longitudinal passageways 60 in valve plug 30a.

When nipple 35 and coupling 34 are rotated to disengage the coupling from the upper end of nipple plug 6|, the valve plug 30a will then be moved downwardly until the annular valve closure seat on the lower face of flange S2 will be forced into tight sealing engagement with the gasket 64.

In the modification shown in Figs. 15 and 16, a nipple plug 6l, like that shown in Figs. 13 and 14.-, is provided in the upper end of pipe section 26 and a closure cap 21 is provided for engagement with the upper threaded half of the .nipple plug El. After closure cap 2l has been removed, a nipple 35 and coupling 34, similar to those shown lin Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 13, may then be engaged with the threads of the nipple plug 3l and' the lower end of a vrod 33 having associated parts such as-shown in Fig. 3 is engaged in the socketed yend T2 ofV the 'valve closure lplug 10.

lgemeen Valve closure plug 10 like plug 30a is provided with left-hand threads but, instead ofV providing it with a plurality of longitudinal passageways, the means for establishing the communication between the upper and lower ends of the riser in this instance is in the form of a central longitudinal passageway 1| in plug 1t which communicates at its upper and lower ends with a plurality or" diametrally extending passageways 12.

As will be obvious from an inspection of Fig. 15, communication is established from pipe section 26 to nipple 35 when valve plug 1B has been screwed upwardly by rotation of the nipple 35 to a position such that the upper diametral passageways 12 are above the top of nipple plug Si, the length of central passageway 1i) and the longitudinal spacing of the two sets of diametral passageways being greater than Athe length of plug 6l so that when upper passageways 12 are above the top of nipple plug El the lower passages 12 will lie below the lower face of nipple plug i, thereby to establish communication between the nipple 35 and pipe section 26.

In Fig. 17 I have shown the uppermost riser pipe section 25 as having a pipe coupling 65 attached to its upper end. Screwed into coupling 55 is a plug nipple 66 which like the nipple 6I shown in liig. 15 is adapted to have a closure cap 21 screwed on to it to close the upper end of the riser. Nipple plug 6B has a central screwthreaded bore 69 in which is adapted to be received a valve plug 15, plug 15 being provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending passageways 15. The lower end of `valve plug 15 is provided with a hex-shaped socket adapted to receive the upper end of connecting hex rod 53, leading to the lower valve such as shown in Fig. 5. At its upper end valve plug 15 is provided with a similar hex-shaped socket 11 to receive the lower end of a hex-shaped actuating rod 18. IThe upper end of rod 18 is received within similarly shaped recess in the bottom of a screw 19 preferably secured, as by a pin 80, to the hex rod 18. yScrew 19 is screw threaded in the upper boss li of an L-fitting 82 adapted for connection by means of pipe or hose `115 to a pump` P, such as shown in Fig. 2. Projecting diametrically through the upper end oi screw 19 is an actuating' rod 83 by means of which the valve plug may be manually moved to and from its opened and closed positions.

In the modification shown in Fig. 17 the opera tion, as will be readily understood, is quite similar to that described in connection with the other iigures, except that in Fig. 17 the valve plug 15 is not opened and closed by the mere act of attaching the pipe coupling parts which lead to the pump to the pipe section 26. Normally, with the structure shown in Fig. 17, the valve plug 15 will have been screwed down into the nipple plug 5S to a point such that the unslotted upper closure portion of the valve plug will be lodged within the screw-threaded bore 69 so as to cut off communication through the longitudinal passageway 1S thereof. A closure cap such as shown in Fig. 15 will also normally be screwed upon the upper end of nipple plug 66.

Assuming that it is desired to drain on collected liquid, the closure cap is removed but, as the valve plug 15 is in its closed position, no gas fumes can escape into the atmosphere. Screw 'i9 first being screwed down until the lower end of hex rod 18 projects below the end of fitting 82, the lower end of hex rod 18 is entered into socket 11 of valve plug 15. L-tting 82 is then caused to be engaged with the threads of nipple plug 66 by screwing the fitting downwardlyl upon screw 19. holding the screw 19 stationary with one hand while rotating the fitting with the other hand. After the L-ttng 82 has been tightly screwed upon the nipple plug, the screw 19 is then rotated by the handle 83 to raise the valve plug 15 to its opened position, as shown in iig. 17; it being understood that before the valve plug is moved to open position the coupling 45a will have been made to the pump. i

While I have described the invention as applic to a gas main, the invention obviously is not limited to use with a gas main riser but it may be employed with anykind of a container to or from which it would be necessary or desirable to transfer gas and/or liquid.

It will further be understood that, if desired, the closure portion of any of the valve plugs shown may be provided with a slight taper or additional tapered cooperating sealing surfaces may be provided on the movable and xed valve members to insure a more effective sealing. It is believed to be preferable to use standard machine screw threads for the valve plugs. When such threads are used, a liberal coating of graphite, common soap, or other lubricating material capable of forming a sealing joint should preferably be applied to the valve plug or the 'threaded bore of the fixed plug before the valve plug is inserted into the fixed plug.

As will be seen from the foregoing, .I have disclosed several modified forms of the invention, all of which have in common the use oi a screw threaded valve plug that is adapted to be moved from an upper to a lower position, in one of which positions communication will be established through longitudinal passageways for withdrawal of collected liquid and that in eachoi the valve modrlcations shown, after the upper end of the riser has `been connected with the pipe connec" tions leading to a pump or other means for removal of liquid, the valve means may then be opened to `permit the collected liquid to be withdrawn without permitting any escape of gas to the atmosphere. It will be understood that it may not always be necessary to use a pump or other source of Vacuum to suck out the collected liquid, the pressure in the main sometimes being sufcient to eject such liquid.

Although I have shown the riser in Figs. l and 2 as consisting of a number of pipe sections and as provided with two valve assemblies, one in the upper terminal pipe section 26 and the other in the lower section 22, it will be obvious that, ii desired, the riser may consist of but a single secn tion of pipe; likewise, that but a single valve only, located adjacent the bottom of the riser, or at any intermediate point between the top and bottom thereof, may be employed with either the sectional or single pipe risers.

It will, of course, be obvious that, as the length of rod 33 associated with the pipe connections 35, 35a or 82 for engaging and rotating the movable valve plug would have to be varied depending upon the distance below the top of the riser at which the valve assembly is rotated, the simple sleeve and pin coupling shown in Fig., 6 may he provided for attaching an additional length of rod to the lower end of the rod 33 or rod 1d; it being understood that where the valve assemblies are located at lower levels, their locations would be standardized so that the service crews would need to carry but a limited number of additional rods 33a.

aevaaa'i It will also be obvious that the conduit connection and Valve plug` rotating means shown in Fig. 17 and which is rotatable independently of the conduit connection may be used with any of the valve assembly Vconstructions shown in Figs. l to 16; likewise, that the different forms of valve rotatable plugs shown may be used either with an inserted stationary valve plug member such as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, or with a plug nipple as shown in Figs. 13 to 17 which may serve as a connection between -the riser sections.

Itis to be understood'that the term riser as used in the claims hereunto appended is not to be construed as limited to `a vertically extending pipe but is intended to apply to any tubular member, attachment or appurtenance in sealed ensagement with, and projecting laterally in any direction from, a gas main or other receptacle. Likewise, thatV the invention obviously is equally applicable to the-addition of, as well as the withdrawal of,`gas and/ or 'liquid from the container to which the riser is attached.

It will be further understood that many further variations, changes, and modifications-which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which Ythe present invention relates, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or-scopeof the invention as dened inthe claims hereunto appended Y Y I claim:

1. Fluid control apparatus comprising a member having auid passage therethrough adapted to communicate with the interior of a container, said member adapted to be secured to said container in sealing engagement',Y therewith, a valve in said passage for controlling flow of fluid through the passage, a tting releasably attached to said member, saidrvalvehaving threaded engagement with said `member interiorly thereof and said iitting-being in threaded lengagement with saidmernber exteriorly thereof, a guide'element xed within said ttng, a valve operating element comprising an axially extending wrench rod slidably and rotatably carried byvsaid guide element, means normally urging said-rod axially toward said valve while thefitting is -being attached to said member, and clutch means com- Vprisig a radially extending projectionl''n Asaid valve operating element and an abutment on said guide element spaced radially from said valve operating element, said abutment being rotatable relative to said projection to permit lost motion in said clutch, said clutch means being adapted to rotate said valve operating element and said Valve when said tting is rotated for threaded attachment of said tting to said member.

2. Fluid control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a shoulder on said Wrench rod and in which said urging means comprises a spring interposed between said shoulder and said guide element.

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Great Britain Oct. 19, 1944 

